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Size-Controlled Au-Cu2Se Core-Shell Nanoparticles and Their Thermoelectric Properties
Yingshi Jin1, Junphil Hwang1, Mi-Kyung Han1
1Department of Chemistry and Nano Science, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Korea.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|July 16, 2020
Summary
Researchers developed Au-Cu2Se core-shell nanoparticles to enhance thermoelectric energy conversion. These nanostructures achieved a peak ZT value of 0.61, outperforming pure materials.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Energy Conversion
Background:
- Thermoelectric materials convert heat to electricity, but efficiency is limited by trade-offs between electrical and thermal properties.
- Nanostructured interfaces offer a route to decouple these properties, enhancing thermoelectric performance.
- Optimizing thermoelectric materials is crucial for sustainable energy solutions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize Au-Cu2Se core-shell nanoparticles with varying shell thicknesses.
- To investigate the impact of shell thickness on the thermoelectric properties of Au-Cu2Se nanocomposites.
- To optimize thermoelectric performance through nanostructuring and interface engineering.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of Au-Cu2Se core-shell nanoparticles via controlled precursor concentration.
- Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) to consolidate nanoparticles into dense pellets.
- Measurement and analysis of thermoelectric properties (Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity) as a function of temperature and shell thickness.
Main Results:
- Au-Cu2Se core-shell nanoparticles with controlled shell thicknesses (37-53 nm overall, ~11 nm Au core) were successfully synthesized.
- Optimized power factor achieved through energy filtering at the Au/Cu2Se interface and Ohmic contact-induced carrier concentration tuning.
- Significant reduction in lattice thermal conductivity due to coherent phonon scattering at the core-shell interface.
- Highest thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT) of 0.61 achieved at 723 K for a 21 nm shell thickness, surpassing pure Cu2Se and mixed composites.
Conclusions:
- Au-Cu2Se core-shell nanostructures effectively enhance thermoelectric properties by leveraging interface effects.
- The synergetic interplay between improved Seebeck coefficient and reduced thermal conductivity leads to superior ZT values.
- This study demonstrates a viable strategy for designing advanced thermoelectric materials using core-shell nanostructures.
